Councilman Eric Hewitt, the first-term member from the 1st Ward, opted against filing for re-election, creating a wide-open, six-person race that features a former councilman, a former state representative and several aggressive newcomers. The top two will face each other in November.

Green Leaf Clinic is located on the north side of Holmes Road in a small strip mall near the Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard intersection. The edifice is adorned with a modern-looking illuminated sign, making this dispensary easy to find. The lobby is bright, open and modestly decorated with comfortable-looking furniture.

What are time banks and how are they faring in mid-Michigan?

Brett Dreyfus first heard about time banks about 15 years ago, but he was in no position to start one: “I just didn’t have the time,” he said. But when Dreyfus was elected as a Meridian Township trustee in 2008, things changed. Dreyfus organized three planning sessions last September that he hoped would be the genesis of a currency system that, at first mention, usually leaves people scratching their head.

What will happen to the 41 operating medical marijuana dispensaries in Lansing? A draft regulation ordinance that would force most of them to move surfaces, raising questions

The draft ordinance, written by City Attorney Brig Smith with input from Lansing City Councilwoman Carol Wood, has raised the eyebrows of some dispensary owners and local attorneys because it would restrict new dispensaries to industrially zoned areas of the city and force those not in those zones to move if they want to stay open.

The Meridian Township Board of Trustees schedules an election on a controversial property rezoning, but it may not be needed. Meanwhile, state allegations of a local doctor’s overprescribing pharmaceuticals may have implications for medical marijuan

The Meridian Township Board of Trustees schedules an election on a controversial property rezoning, but it may not be needed. Meanwhile, state allegations of a local doctor’s overprescribing pharmaceuticals may have implications for medical marijuana patients.

Union leaders want to see the Lansing City Council levy 3.7 mills in light of the failed millage. Three Council members suggest $5.3 million in new revenue and cuts, which the Bernero administration calls a “pipe dream.”

Because of the failure last week of the special election to raise property taxes by 4 mills to generate revenue for police, fire and roads services, union officials are hoping the Council will raise taxes unilaterally to help maintain those services, said Bryan Epling, president of the Lansing Fire Fighters union.

204 E. Grand River Ave., Lansing

Soaring a half-story above its neighbors at 204 E. Grand River Ave. in Old Town, this red-brick gem is hard to miss. With highly decorative masonry and intricate detailing, this Romanesque revival style building oozes 19th-century charm and is one of Lansing’s architectural masterpieces.